FEAST: Dish and Dialogue

In this episode of FEAST: Dish & Dialogue, Michel Nischan, James Beard Award-winning chef and food equity advocate, shares his perspective on how chefs can use their influence to drive meaningful social change.

Drawing from his work through Wholesome Wave, Wholesome Crave, and OneKitchen, Nischan explores how chefs can move beyond the role of tastemakers to become trusted leaders in food policy, equity, and systems reform. From ...

In this episode of FEAST: Dish & Dialogue, hoteliers, educators, and workforce leaders explore how the hospitality industry can better prepare the next generation for long-term success.

Moderated by Young Yun, Executive Director of Ment’or, the panel features Wendy Hensel (University of Hawai'i), Kelly Sanders (Highgate), Craig Anderson (Mauna Kea Resort), and Mike Palmer (Hawai'i Restaurant Association).

Together, they dis...

In Part Two of this FEAST: Dish & Dialogue episode, digital creators and brand leaders continue the conversation on how social media is shaping the food industry—and how creators and businesses can work together more effectively.

Moderated by Kara Kozuma, Senior Associate Manager of Earned Media at King’s Hawaiian, the panel features Ben Hon (@stuffbeneats), Kiki Aranita (The Philadelphia Inquirer), Kale Afong (@hawa...

In Part One of this FEAST: Dish & Dialogue episode, digital creators and food media professionals explore how social media is reshaping the way we discover, experience, and engage with food.

Moderated by Kara Kozuma, Senior Associate Manager of Earned Media at King’s Hawaiian, the panel features Ben Hon (@stuffbeneats), Kiki Aranita (The Philadelphia Inquirer), Kale Afong (@hawaiisonly), and Philip Lemoine (@philip_lemoine...

In this episode of FEAST: Dish & Dialogue, culinary leaders and cultural stewards explore what it takes to preserve heritage foodways through agriculture, education, and community.Moderated by Representative Kirstin Kahaloa, the panel features Keliko Hoe (Waiahole Poi Factory), Lehia Apana (Polipoli Farms), Kealoha Domingo (Nui Kealoha), and Stacy Sproat (Waipa Foundation).

Together, they discuss how ancestral knowledge, traditi...

In this episode of FEAST: Dish & Dialogue, Sean Sherman, James Beard Award-winning founder of NATIFS and a leading voice in the Indigenous food movement, shares his perspective on reclaiming Indigenous food systems and restoring the knowledge, traditions, and relationships to land disrupted by colonization.

Drawing from his experience as a chef and educator, Sherman explores how rebuilding Native foodways—from ingredients ...

In this episode of FEAST: Dish & Dialogue, chefs and hospitality leaders explore how AI is beginning to reshape both restaurant and hotel operations—and what it means to preserve authenticity along the way.

Moderated by Maya Rogers, CEO of Tetris, the panel features Rich Rosendale (Rosendale Collective), Jason Peel (Nami Kaze), Tom Calame (Kyo-ya Hotels & Resorts Hawaii), and Kevin Yim (Zippy's Restaurants).

Together, ...

In this episode of FEAST: Dish & Dialogue, Guy Kawasaki, renowned tech evangelist and author of Think Remarkable, shares perspective on how to navigate a world increasingly shaped by AI.Drawing from his experience in technology and innovation, Kawasaki breaks down how individuals and organizations can use AI as a tool to enhance creativity, improve decision-making, and stay competitive. From treating AI as a “creative par...

In this episode of FEAST: Dish & Dialogue, Hawai‘i leaders come together to explore how agritourism and regenerative hospitality are shaping the future of destination management across the islands.

Moderated by Senator Donovan Dela Cruz, the conversation features Kea Keolanui (O.K. Farms & Hawaii Eco Experiences), Jennifer Luck (Common Ground Kaua'i), Kau‘i Kanaka‘ole (Ala Kukui Hāna Retreat), and Micah Kān...

In this episode of FEAST: Dish & Dialogue, Josh Feathers, Executive Chef of the Main House at Blackberry Farm, explores how culinary can serve as an extension of landscape, culture, and story.

Drawing from the legacy of Blackberry Farm, Feathers shares how the land, history, and agricultural roots of a place can do more than influence what’s on the plate—they can define the entire guest experience. He reflects on how...

In this episode of FEAST: Dish & Dialogue, chefs from across the country come together to explore what the future of dining could look like in 2026 and beyond. Moderated by John Tsou, VP of Marketing at OpenTable, the panel features Leah Cohen (Pig and Khao), Francis Ang (Restaurant Abacá), Brady Ishiwata Williams (Tomo) , Brandon Jew (Mister Jiu's), and Robynne Maii (Fête). Together, they discuss how evolving diner expectation...

In this episode of FEAST: Dish & Dialogue, John Tsou, VP of Marketing at OpenTable, explores what the future of dining could look like in the years ahead.

As guest expectations continue to evolve, Tsou shares insights into the trends and behaviors shaping how people choose where, how, and why they dine. From shifting consumer preferences to the growing importance of experience, technology, and personalization, he outlines how re...

In this episode of FEAST: Dish & Dialogue, leaders across hospitality, development, and culinary come together to explore how dining experiences shape destination identity.

Moderated by Sean Dee, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of OUTRIGGER Hospitality Group, the panel features Serge Krivatsy (Kamehameha Schools), Alana Kobayashi-Pakala (Kobayashi Group), Roy Yamaguchi (Roy Yamaguchi Group of Restaurants), ...

In this episode of FEAST: Dish & Dialogue, Elizabeth Blau, acclaimed restaurateur and founder of Blau & Associates, explores how restaurants can shape cities, communities, and destination identity.

As dining continues to play an increasingly central role in how people experience place, Blau shares insights from her work helping transform the culinary landscape of Las Vegas. She highlights how thoughtful restaurant concepts c...

In this episode of FEAST: Dish & Dialogue, Hawai‘i-based leaders come together to explore how food systems can better serve communities across the islands.

Moderated by Jayson Watts, Director of Environmental Health & Safety at Mahi Pono, the panel features Rona Fukumoto (Lanakila Pacific), Gary Maunakea-Forth (MAO Organic Farms), Robin Kumabe (Touch A Heart), and First Lady Jaime Green.

Together, they discuss how agric...

In this episode of FEAST: Dish & Dialogue, Michael Curtin, CEO of D.C. Central Kitchen, explores how food can serve as a catalyst for social change.

As communities across the country confront challenges around food access, workforce development, and economic in equality, Curtin shares a powerful perspective on how food systems can be reimagined to create opportunity. Drawing from D.C. Central Kitchen’s nationally recognize...

In this episode of FEAST: Dish & Dialogue, hospitality leaders come together to explore the evolving future of tourism in Hawai‘i and beyond.

Moderated by James Tokioka, Director of the Hawai‘iDepartment of Business, Economic Development & Tourism, the panel features Kūhiō Lewis (Hawaiian Council), Aaron Salā (Hawai‘i Visitors & Convention Bureau), Elliot Mills (Hawai‘i Hospitality Group), and Pet...

In the premiere episode of FEAST Dish & Dialogue, Emmy Award-winning travel journalist and CBS News Travel Editor Peter Greenberg takes the FEAST Summit stage to explore the future of global tourism.

As destinations around the world navigate the challenges of over tourism, infrastructure strain, and shifting traveler expectations, Greenberg shares insights on how places like Hawai‘i can rethink the visitor experience to cr...